Thursday, February 16, 2012

Except for a couple of stitches, all I have left is a LOT of backstitching - not my favorite thing. Although the original kit came with 15ct aida banding, floss, felt backing and a tassel, I received this as a PIF with only the well worn chart, on which someone had marked the DMC colors, and some left over floss, though I mostly used my own. This is stitched on 28ct natural linen banding, which has a slightly wider center stitching area. After stitching the 904 mid-value green, it was difficult to distinguish the difference with 895 dark green so frogged it all and started over. But after considerable search thru stash ended up blending the 904 with 319 instead. I added a couple of spaces to each side of the design before the border to make it fit better between the bands, only to discover no matter where I "centered" it would be one square off on the banding. Am adding a couple of stitches to the left side of the flowers and moved the bottom vine one left and added an extra stitch to make the design more centered. I may restitch that center tendril as well to add a couple of stitches in width. When finished it will likely become a small wall hanging instead.

Monday, February 13, 2012

In Honor of my Mother and in Appreciation for over 20,000 Hits on my Blog

My Mother made hundreds of bookmarks for church bazaars, family reunions, and other occasions during her lifetime, often designing as she stitched along. I've attached many to my bedroom walls (needless to say an eclectic assortment of photos, cross stitch, and original art) with a push pin rather than use for the purpose intended. This verse was particularly meaningful to her, as it is to me, and this holds place of honor on the wall right next to my bed. Provided you include the copyright information, the chart is yours to share without restriction.

William "Bill" Anthony Hensley, 66 of Mounds. OK, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at his home. He was born on July 15, 1945 in Burnet, TX. to Marion and Earlene Hensley. He was grounds keeper for Greenwood Cemetery. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era. He was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and spending time with family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Earlene Hensley. He is survived by his wife Beverly (Tyler) Hensley of the home; children, Robert Jones of the home, Janet Smith of Sapulpa, OK., Tracie Miller of Ravia, OK., Kimberly Parizon of Decatur, TX., Jonathan Jones and Jamie Jones both of Mounds, OK., and James Hensley of Ramona, OK. ; 21 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and sister, Janet Nunez of Erath, LA. Visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at the Smith Funeral Chapel, Sapulpa, OK. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2012 at Smith Funeral Chapel, Sapulpa, OK. Officiating will be the Reverend Stephanie Sargent. Bearers will be Chester White, Danny White (Rossie), Mark Roberts, Tony Roberts, Curtis Parker, Billy Smith, John Brooks, Billy Raye Young. Honorary Bearers will be Wade Jones, Marcus Tarter, Thomas Miller, Cody Jones, Angel Garcia, Clyde Smith, Sean Keen, Lance Keen, Joshua Hensley, Colby Jones, and Jonathan Jones, II. Interment to follow at Mounds Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, Sapulpa, OK.
****
His mother was my mother's sister. I had no idea he had so many grandchildren or great-grandchildren. The long drive and wintry weather prevent some of us from attending the funeral today.

I've been under the weather for some time. After 2 rounds of antibiotics, I've got a specialist appt next week. And in testing for this one, something else showed up. Unless told otherwise, I'm putting that one off for now..

Stitching: I just picked up the ABC's of Aging by LK from my LNS. Anyone stitched this already? I didn't realize it was a "kit" so a LOT more expensive than I expected since I thought it was just the chart. But at least it'll have fabric with it, right?. WRONG. Instead Weeks and CC threads and some DMC I have no need or want of. Since I ordered it without asking enough questions up front, I felt obligated to plunk down $34 (including tax) for it. Most I've ever spent for any needlecraft project. And I STILL have to decide what I have around here to stitch it on as fabric was going to be another $15. Good grief! I finally started stitching a Columbine bookmark I received quite a while back as a PIF. I'll PIF, well worn chart and some of the DMC theads, as soon as the stitching is complete. I'll post that separately later for those interested. I'm stitching on 28ct natural linen banding as all I received was the chart and some threads as well. It's lovely, but I don't look forward to all that backstitching,

Sad family news: My just-older first cousin passed away this week after a long battle with cancer. His funeral is scheduled on Monday in Oklahoma, a 5-hour drive. Some of the Texas family may go, and I should, but predicted wintry weather may preclude anyone from here from attending. Though very ill, he insisted on coming to Mother's visitation and funeral last June. He should never have made the trip and could not make the funeral after all. He's the first one of my generation to pass - a very sobering and sombering reality. His sister has been battling breast cancer at the same time. She is not well either. RIP, cousin Bill. Prayers and good thoughts for their family are much appreciated.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

As a lawyer, I sometimes got really bored waiting in a Court Room for my turn at a 60-second divorce "prove-up." There is only so much small-talk an attorney, or the client for that matter, wants to engage in after a few minutes. And, of course, "no talking in the court room." At least while hearings are being conducted. The client is usually interested in the proceedings, something a family law attorney has seen hundreds of times and has better things to do other than twiddling thumbs. Or sketching. This is Judge Maryellen Hicks sitting in the 321st in Fort Worth. The bench, witness box and stenographer's box behind the column on the left, are made of heavy oak and beautifully carved. A very QUICK sketch done with a black pen on a manilla file folder, which I ran across this the other day sorting through old files to finally shred. Definitely not a work of art, but perhaps a bit of history in that Judge Hicks moved up to the Court of Appeals in 1993 after a nationally reported incident involving the deaths of 2 Court of Appeals Judges and a still furious ex-husband, that sadly and coincidentally I was acquainted with at church.. More ... The article fails to mention that the gunman was headed to this courtroom to kill this particular judge as well, but was confronted by 2 heroic unarmed attorney's in the hall who managed to talk him out of it, after which he fled.

Welcome! It's Me: LindaMc- I've been doing needlework since I was 5. I sometimes create designs as LMc Designs or Bits of Floss. One DD - 3 cats, a yard full of wild critters. I am involved with amateur radio, RACES, and volunteer with the local Office of Emergency Management. Link to my EMVolunteer blog. Email me!

Copyright Info - Except as otherwise noted, all designs, charts and photos are copyright by LMc Designs, Bits of Floss and/or myself individually. All rights are reserved.My designs are for your individual, non-commercial use only and may not be shared or sold by either paper or digital copy. If you have a charitable project, please first ask for permission.Please do not download personal photos or artwork. Also see the "General Copyright Rules and Information."

Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization which sends hundreds of care packages year round to members of all branches of the military, focusing on those service in the most remote locations in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East. Read about this very meaningful and most worthy project.